Mattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

398. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the role agritourism is expected to play in achieving the goals of balanced regional development and sustainability outlined in the Tourism Policy Framework 2025–2030; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62731/25]

William Aird (Laois, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

399. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the total annual funding received by local enterprise offices in each local authority area in each of the past five years, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62748/25]

William Aird (Laois, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

400. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the measures his Department is taking to create jobs in County Laois; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62749/25]

Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I propose to take Questions Nos. 398 to 400, inclusive, together.

Regional development is a key element of our national enterprise policy, as set out in the Programme for Government and the White Paper on Enterprise, and is a key focus of the work of my Department and its agencies.

As of 2024 there were 2,060 employed in EI client companies based in Laois, a 4.1% increase on 2023. Payments to Laois based companies within Enterprise Ireland’s portfolio totalled €2.7 million between 2023 and 2024.

Kirby Group Engineering has officially opened its new off-site manufacturing (OSM) facility at Junction 17 National Enterprise Park in Portlaoise, Co Laois. The €8m development is set to create 50 jobs and will be key to the continuing growth of the company as it manufactures a range of components for projects across Ireland, the UK and mainland Europe.

Midland Steel have invested €16 million state of the art facility will create 62 jobs over the next three years. The job creation includes top-quality engineering positions, robotic technicians, estimators, BIM modellers, mechanical and electrical technicians, and steel fixers all functioning in a fully automated environment. The Midland Steel manufacturing facility is the first of its kind in Ireland. The SMART facility represents a major investment in full automation of the rebar cutting and bending process, providing off-site manufacturing of a finished product ready for concrete placement.

Enterprise Ireland is an active member of the Midlands Regional Enterprise Plan (REP) Steering Group with partners including the Local Authorities. The plan includes projects and initiatives across the four Midlands counties (Longford, Westmeath, Laois and Offaly).

Regional Enterprise Plans (REPs) are developed by regional stakeholders and focus on undertaking collaborative initiatives that can help deliver enterprise growth in each of the nine regions in Ireland. The REPs aim to bring added value and increased impact through regional actors working collaboratively to address challenges and foster new enterprise development opportunities.

The Midlands REP covers Longford, Westmeath, Laois and Offaly and was launched in 2022. It works to leverage the established strengths of the region in relation to transitioning to a net zero carbon economy, smart specialisation and digitalisation, and placemaking. It is overseen and monitored by a Steering Committee made up of representatives from the public and private sector.

There are 52 IDA client companies in the Midlands Region, comprising Laois, Westmeath, Offaly, and Longford, employing 8,045 people. The FDI performance in the region has been consistent over the past five years with employment among IDA clients increasing by 26% and there is a significant ecosystem of well-established companies across Life Sciences, Technology, Global Business & Financial Services and Engineering & Industrial Technologies. Laois is home to 5 IDA-supported companies employing 145 people. Over the last IDA strategy, IDA has supported three significant FDI investments for Laois. In July 2021 N’Ware Technologies, a Canadian software firm, announced the opening of its new sales and services centre in Mountrath, with the creation of 25 jobs. In July 2020, Greenfield Global officially opened its new €30m EU manufacturing headquarters in Portlaoise, to be supported by 75 employees, and in 2018 Barracuda (previously known as Skout), a U.S. cybersecurity firm based on the IDA Business Park in Portlaoise announced the creation of 30 jobs.

The Portlaoise Business and Technology Park is maintained as part of IDA Ireland’s property portfolio and is available to accommodate investment and development by IDA and Enterprise Ireland clients. For example, Aubren, an Enterprise Ireland client is located on the IDA there. There is c.33.39 hectares of lands available for marketing in the park, in a landscaped and serviced environment, suitable for both manufacturing and international services clients and IDA continues to proactively market the available lands. IDA will also continue to work closely with the private sector in the Midlands to secure the provision and marketing of appropriate and cost-effective building and property solutions for client companies. IDA’s focus over the coming years is to build on the strengths and competencies of the region with a particular focus on high value manufacturing, services and research and development opportunities across a number of established clusters in Life Sciences, Technology, and Global Business Services.

In 2024 the Local Enterprise Office (LEO) in Laois approved over €200k in direct grant assistance to start-ups and existing businesses under the Feasibility, Priming and Business Expansion Grants. These supports enable entrepreneurs and small businesses to start, sustain, and scale operations which contributes to job creation within the county.

Last year LEO Laois also delivered the Start Your Own Business (SYOB) programmes to 143 aspiring entrepreneurs. This programme guides clients through the various aspects of business and business planning. It highlights the importance of planning ahead when setting up a new venture and assists entrepreneurs in honestly assessing their business idea, its viability and help them decide if they should proceed or take a step back. A further 134 have participated in 8 Start Your Own Business Courses delivered this year. The participation numbers in the SYOB can be seen as an indicator for the likely pipeline of new businesses that will start up over the course of the following year.

I continue to emphasise the importance of regional development and the role of my department’s agencies in driving economic growth in the regions. I want to highlight the efforts of EI, IDA and the LEOs to provide businesses with the resources and support they need to thrive, particularly in areas outside the capital. By focusing on innovation, collaboration, and sustainability, my Department aims to create a more resilient and competitive business environment in the Midlands region.